British author Oliver Sacks has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The scientist/writer, 81, whose 1973 book Awakenings inspired the Oscar-nominated movie of the same name, revealed that a cancerous tumour in his eye which was removed nine years ago has spread to his liver and cannot be cured.
In a touching article for The New York Times, Sacks writes, "I feel grateful that I have been granted nine years of good health and productivity since the original diagnosis, but now I am face to face with dying. The cancer occupies a third of my liver, and though its advance may be slowed, this particular sort of cancer cannot be halted. I cannot pretend I am without fear.
"But my predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved; I have been given much and I have given something in return; I have read and travelled and thought and written. I have had an intercourse with the world, the special intercourse of writers and readers. Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure."
London-born Sacks has had an array of best-selling books as well as holding various teaching posts at New York Universities. His book Awakenings was turned into the 1990 movie starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro.

The world lost one of its greatest actors this week. Many of us grew up with Robin Williams as a firm presence in our lives that could make us laugh. He brought our families together every time we sat down to watch one of his films. He was the voice of Genie in Aladdin. He brought a board game to life in Jumanji. He was an inspiration in Dead Poet’s Society. Every role he portrayed, he encompassed that character so passionately, it’s hard to believe one man could be so versatile. In no way is this list comprehensive, because William’s career was so magnanimous, it cannot be broken down into which films were his best. He was a legend, with such a gift that all of his roles could be argued to be his best.
1. Mork, Mork and Mindy
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An alien comes to earth to study its inhabitants. The plot is absolutely out there, but Robin Williams embraces this character wholeheartedly in this Happy Days spinoff. He brings Mork to life in a quirky, sweet way that we will see more of during his career. This television role was one of his first big exposures to an audience and he was well received.
2. Popeye, Popeye
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Popeye is one of the first forays where viewers got to see Williams carrying different voices and traits using physical comedy to deliver them. He embodied this classic sailor so realistically, you could see it in the way that he walked and the way that he talked. Even his facial expressions were so meticulously detailed, you couldn’t second guess this casting choice. Williams was Popeye.
3. Adrian Cronauer, Good Morning, Vietnam
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A movie set in Saigon, 1965, during the Vietnam War, Williams plays a radio DJ on Armed Forces Radio Service, who is wildly popular with the troops, but not his superiors. It’s a story loosely based on the experiences of AFRS radio DJ Adrian Cronauer. What made this film a genuine Robin Williams piece was his take on the character. Almost all of his radio broadcasts were ad-libbed. Like this amazing bit, “Goooooooooood-byyyyeeeeee Vietnaaaaaam! That’s right, I’m history…I’m outta here! I got the lucky ticket home, baby. Rollin, rollin, rollin’…keep them wagons rollin’, rawhide!”
4. John Keating, Dead Poets Society
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A film set at the conservative Welton Academy in 1959, John Keating is a teacher that inspires his otherwise uninterested students with the use of poetry. Unlike earlier roles, such as Mork or Popeye, Williams didn’t use physical comedy to take up the screen. His passion, which viewers could see in every role he took on, was what carried this film. His delivery truly made us want to seize the day, because he was so believable in that philosophy. He made us want to stand up on our desks and chant, “O’ captain, my captain!:"
5. Dr. Malcolm Sayer, Awakenings
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While Awakenings certainly was not Williams’s first serious role, this film sticks out more because of his chemistry with those around him. William’s plays Dr. Malcolm Sayer, based on real-life British neurologist Oliver Sacks. In 1969, Sayer discovers beneficial effects of the new drug, L-Dopa, which he administers to his catatonic patients. It’s incredible to watch Williams take on this character, who is so invested in his patient’s health and quality of life, that it’s heartwarming to watch.
6. Peter Pan/Peter Banning, Hook
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Only an actor as talented and candid as Williams could manage to handle playing a grown-up Peter Pan. We’re introduced to Peter, a lawyer who is drifting from his wife and children because of his dedication to his work. It’s a wonderful display of character development to watch Peter, who has forgotten his childhood, something he never wanted to let go of, reclaim his youth and learn about life’s biggest adventures.
7. Leslie Zevo, Toys
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Toys wasn’t big at the box office, despite producing a world-class cast. Williams plays the son of a toy manufacture that falls ill and leaves the company to his uncle, a military man with no interest in building toys. Williams’s character Leslie is appalled when his uncle begins manufacturing war toys. As a child watching this movie, it was so engaging to watch Williams, who might not have seemed responsible enough to handle the company, take action to save it. He’s passionate, silly, and the unsung hero we wanted to succeed.
8. Genie, Aladdin
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In Aladdin, William’s is the genie that the title character stumbles upon. Williams was able to take this 2-dimensial character and make him larger than life. He stole every scene he was in, making him the most memorable character from the film (sorry Aladdin and Jasmine). He was completely right, we’ve never had a friend like him.
9. Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire, Mrs. Doubtfire
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After a bitter divorce, Daniel Hillard, a talented, but jobless voice actor, is determined to still spend time with his kids. When he finds out his ex-wife is going to hire a housekeeper to help with the children, he uses his skills to pretend to be a Scottish nanny. You only need to see this movie once to remember what Williams sounded like as Mrs. Doubtfire, “Hellooo!”What could have been a ridiculous excuse at dressing up in drag, is actually a very humorous movie that touches on what the life of both parents, and children, are like in a divorce.
10. Alan Parrish, Jumanji
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Of all of William’s work, Jumanji has remained my personal favorite. The story of a boy, sucked into a board game, sounded like a plot only children could enjoy. But, as an adult, it’s more rewarding to watch Williams return to his world, years after being stuck in the jungle of the game, and have him grappling with issues we all do. Unlike some of his other work, Alan Parrish is not boisterous character that William’s could use his wild antics to portray. It’s almost like watching Robin Williams’s growing up, seeing him act like a child in an adult’s body while slowly maturing and realizing what he is responsible for.
11. Armand Goldman, The Birdcage
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The American take on La Cage aux Folles, features Williams playing a gay man, pretending to be straight for the sake of his son’s engagement. Nathan Lane gets the flashier of the two roles in this movie, but it’s impossible to not acknowledge Williams’s straight-laced performance in this piece.
12. Jack Powell, Jack
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Jack is a boy who ages 4x faster than the average kid, so at 10 he looks like is physically 40. A mix between comedy and melodrama, this idea sounds as bad out loud as it does on paper. But Williams manages to endear us in a way only he seems capable of, showing us the trouble Jack faces with a sweet earnestly that made viewers love this film, even if critics did not.
13. Professor Philip Brainard, Flubber
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Flubber is a movie meant for children, but easily enjoyed by parents as well because of Williams. He plays the absent-minded Professor Philip Brainard, who discovers flubber. Critically, it was not his best film, by a long shot, but William’s personality matches the super-bouncy substance of Flubber, without letting the CGI-created element take over the film.
14. Sean Maguire, Good Will Hunting
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Williams showed us he had the ability to combine tough love with a no nonsense kind of attitude. As psychologist Sean Maguire, he was able to help lead a brilliant man the right direction in his life. Williams ability to provide raw emotions is what landed him his first, and only, Oscar win (though he’s deserved the accolade countless times over his career).
15. Patch Adams, Patch Adams
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After committing himself to a mental institution, Patch Adams finds a purpose in life and applies to medical school. The film follows as Williams fights to make connections with his patients, using laughter as a form of healing. As viewers, we got to see William’s dedication to the belief that laughter is one of the best forms of medicine.
16. Andrew Martin, Bicentennial Man
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A sci-fi film where Williams portrays a robot, this movie held a lot of promise. It gets muddled down with semantics and plots too focused on scientific aspects of extended life, but Williams’s heart as a robot searching for humanity is what kept this movie afloat.
17. Seymour Parrish, One Hour Photo
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For those of us who were so used to Williams’ legendary comedic roles, it was jarring to watch a film like One Hour Photo. Seymour Parrish was not your usual over-the-top Williams performance. It’s chilling to watch an almost unrecognizable Williams, bleached blonde and tight-lipped, transform into this obsessive human being, fixated on the perfect family and life. This film is a testament to Williams acting range.
18. Bob Munro, RV
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As Bob Munro, younger viewers got a sense for what it would be like if Robin William’s was really your dad. We all might have loved Mrs. Doubtfire, but realistically, your dad isn’t going to dress up and be your new nanny. This portrayal, so simple and silly, is what highlights that Robin Williams was quite obviously a dad, and like other fathers, has traits that everyone can attach themselves to and love him for.
19. Ramon/Lovelace, Happy Feet &amp; Happy Feet 2
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It’s a movie about talking – and dancing and singing – penguins, why wouldn’t Robin Williams be in it? Let alone, why wouldn’t he voice 2 important characters? As Lovelace, Williams practically jumps off the screen at viewers, as a hilariously fat, wise older penguin with a penchantspouting wisdoms that actually make no sense. It’s entirely believable, not surprisingly, that if Robin Williams had been a penguin, that would be him. On the other hand, Ramon highlights Williams's ability to nail an accent, and become a smooth talking penguin.
20. Maxwell “Wizard” Wallace, August Rush
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It’s strange seeing Williams as one of the bad guys, but he pulls off the part so well. As the “Wizard,” he takes in vagrant, homeless children with a gift for music and pawns them off as street performers. When one of his children finds a musical prodigy, he immediately begins to work with him and sees him as an opportunity for money, trying to promote him to different clubs. It’s a bit refreshing to get a sense of Williams’s funny attitude, but not have him be the hero in this. You know an actor is talented when you love them, but you’re rooting against them the entire time.
21. Teddy Roosevelt, Night at the Museum, Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (To be released later this year)
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One of his most successful films financially, this is also one of his more silly ones. It holds the classic Williams’s trait is to make it silly enough to make you laugh, but not so silly that it becomes nonsensical. Williams plays a statue of Teddy Roosevelt, yes the 26th President of the United States of America, that comes to life at night to protect the museum he is in. Williams’s demeanor captures us as an audience, making us love him and the famous president, as well his back and forth banter with co-star Ben Stiller.
There are so many more films and television appearances that were all remarkable. He was an actor that was completely unparalleled in his style, talent, and passion. He cannot be replaced, and no one would ever dare try that, but he can be remembered by all the wonderful things that he has said and done. He will truly be missed, by those of us who fell in love with him as Alan Parrish in Jumanji, or those of us who were around to first witness him as Mork on Mork and Mindy. May we never forget his immense talent and all the adventures he took us on.
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To anyone who has ever said, "That Katherine Heigl is the cat's pajamas, but there's no chance in France that she can play a woman who can't distinguish people by their faces," your eerily specific challenge is about to be met. Heigl, who has become to romantic comedies what Samuel L. Jackson is to movies that have yelling, has been cast as the star of Face Blind, about a doctor who is afflicted with an as-of-yet unspecified disorder.
Update: She's face blind.
Heigl's character is a psychologist who becomes the new victim of a man who has been stalking one of her patients. For non-prosopagnosiacs, this is a stressful enough scenario. But for those of us (Heigl's character, neuroscientist Oliver Sacks, artist Chuck Close, primatologist Jane Gooddall) who suffer from face blindness, the danger is amplified by the dozens. To make matters worse, Heigl's character's husband begin to suspect that his wife is crazy in the midst of her whole "being stalked by a lunatic who is taking advantage of my crippling brain disorder" thing. He must be a real catch.
In 2011, Julien Magnat directed Milla Jovovich in Faces in the Crowd, a similar story about a woman with face blindess trying to avoid the wrath of a violent maniac. The subject matter has plenty of room for divergent manifestations. And we all know that, even without being able to see her attacker coming, Milla Jovovich would take him down no problem. Heigl's casting might lend to a bit more suspense.
Source: Deadline

The actor plays the CEO of the Sacks West facility as part of a new FunnyOrDie.com video.
In the short film, Cheadle tours the make-believe sanctuary's tennis courts, pools and the latest in genital massage suites, which offer guests the chance to get their "balls primped to perfection".
The hilarious skit also features George Lopez, Cedric The Entertainer, Cheech Marin and actors Joe Montegna and Oliver Hudson.

There are 115 films selected for this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Even the most die-hard film buff couldn’t see each one that Park City, Utah has to offer but luckily we have selected the few that look most promising based solely on their loglines, cast, etc. (for a full list of competing films go here, for a full list of non-competing films here). Check out our top picks below!
Cedar Rapids (Director: Miguel Arteta; Screenwriter: Phil Johnston) —A wholesome and naive small-town Wisconsin man travels to big city Cedar Rapids, Iowa to represent his company at a regional insurance conference. Cast: Ed Helms, John C Reilly, Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Alia Shawkat, Sigourney Weaver.
Ed Helms helped write the movie. That alone should sell the film to you.
The Details (Director and screenwriter: Jacob Aaron Estes) —When hungry raccoons discover worms living under the sod in a young couple’s backyard, the pest problem sets off a wild and absurd chain reaction of domestic tension, infidelity, organ donation and murder by way of bow and arrow.Cast: Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Banks, Laura Linney, Ray Liotta, Dennis Haysbert. A movie with raccoons, infidelity, Elizabeth Banks, and a death by bow and arrow? Sold.
Life in a Day (Director: Kevin Macdonald) —Life in a Day is a historic global experiment to create the world’s largest user-generated feature film. On July 24, 2010, professional and amateur filmmakers captured a glimpse of their lives on camera and uploaded the footage to YouTube, serving as a time capsule for future generations. While the film may be boring, the fact that they did this makes the film worth watching.
The Music Never Stopped (Director: Jim Kohlberg; Screenwriters: Gwyn Lurie and Gary Marks, based on the story “The Last Hippie” by Oliver Sacks) — A father struggles to bond with his estranged son who suffers a brain tumor that prevents him from forming new memories. He learns to embrace his son’s choices and to try to connect with him through the power of music. Cast: J.K. Simmons, Julia Ormond, Cara Seymour, Lou Taylor Pucci, Mia Maestro. While this sounds a little too sad for my tastes, J.K. Simmons is the man. He alone could get me into any movie so I guess I’ll stick it out for this one.
My Idiot Brother (Director: Jesse Peretz; Screenwriters: Evgenia Peretz and David Schisgall) — After serving time for selling pot, Ned successively moves in with each of his three sisters as he tries to get back on his feet. His best intentions quickly bring the family to the cusp of chaos and ultimately the brink of clarity. Cast: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer. If the cast alone isn’t working for you, Zooey Deschanel plays a lesbian with Rashida Jones. Don’t forget to breathe.
Perfect Sense (Director: David Mackenzie; Screenwriter: Kim Fupz Aakeson) —A poetic and magnetic love story about two people who start to fall in love just as the world begins to fall apart. Cast: Ewan McGregor, Eva Green, Ewen Bremner, Stephen Dillane, Denis Lawson and Connie Nielsen. I only included this one for its ridiculous logline.
Red State (Director and screenwriter: Kevin Smith) — A group of misfits encounter extreme fundamentalism in Middle America. Cast: Michael Parks, Michael Angarano, Kyle Gallner, John Goodman, Melissa Leo. Let’s see how well Kevin Smith handles the horror genre. He’s been talking about this one for years, time for him to put up or shut up. Though something tells me that won’t happen any time soon.
Salvation Boulevard (Director: George Ratliff; Screenwriters: Doug Max Stone and George Ratliff, based on the novel by Larry Beinhart) —An evangelical preacher who has captivated a city with his charm frames an ex-hippie for a crime he did not commit. Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Greg Kinnear, Marisa Tomei. There is something alluring about the prospect of a preacher framing someone for something they didn’t do. Add this cast in and we’re definitely excited.
The Son of No One (Director and screenwriter: Dito Montiel) —Two men in post-9/11 New York are forced to relive two murders they committed as young boys. Their lives start to unravel by the threat of the revelation of these shocking and personal secrets. Cast: Channing Tatum, Al Pacino, Katie Holmes, Tracy Morgan, Ray Liotta, Juliette Binoche. The closing night film doesn’t sound too interesting except that it has Tracy Morgan. Color me intrigued and let me stroke my long and gorgeous goatee.
Bobby Fischer Against the World (Director: Liz Garbus) — The drama of late chess-master Bobby Fischer's career was undeniable,as he careened from troubled childhood, to World Champion and Cold War icon, to a fugitive on the run. Bobby Fishcer is one of the most fascinating people to ever become a grand champion of chess. His story has been told before but personally I don’t think one more will hurt.
The Greatest Movie Ever Sold (Director: Morgan Spurlock) — A documentary about branding, advertising and product placement is financed and made possible by branding, advertising and product placement. A film buff endorsing a movie from one of the best documentarians working in his new film about the film business? You must be crazy.
Bellflower (Director and screenwriter: Evan Glodell) — A ballad for every person who has ever loved and lost – with enough violence, weapons, action and sex to tell a love story with apocalyptic stakes. Cast: Evan Glodell, Jessie Wiseman, Tyler Dawson, Rebekah Brandes. Case in point of a second half of a sentence completely saving the sentence from the first half.
Lord Byron (Director: Zack Godshall; Screenwriters: Zack Godshall and Ross Brupbacher) — When he's not pursuing women, Byron is smoking weed and loafing around. But he's grown restless in his middle-age and feels the need to escape – he just doesn't know where to go. Cast: Paul Batiste, Gwendolyn Spradling, Kayla Lemaire. We’re definitely not wanting to see this looking for advice. Definitely not.
The Off Hours (Director and screenwriter: Megan Griffiths) — A passing truck driver brings an unfamiliar sense of optimism to a woman working the night shift at a quiet diner, reminding her it's never too late to become the person you always wanted to be. Cast: Amy Seimetz, Ross Partridge, Scoot McNairy, Lynn Shelton, Bret Roberts, Tony Doupe. I love truck drivers. I’m pretty sure I still want to be one. If this doesn’t have a killer country soundtrack I want my money back (which is whopping zero dollars, but whatever).
to.get.her (Director and screenwriter: Erica Dunton) — Five girls come together for one fateful night where anything goes. They all had secrets, but their friendship was the only thing they knew to be true. Cast: Jazzy De Lisser, Chelsea Logan, Adwoa Aboah, Jami Eaton, Audrey Speicher. BLUGH.
Kaboom (Director and screenwriter: Gregg Araki)— A science fiction story centered on the sexual awakening of a group of college students. Cast: Thomas Dekker, Haley Bennett, Chris Zylka, Roxane Mesquida, Juno Temple. A science fiction film about sexual awakening? I’m there.
Meek’s Cutoff (Director: Kelly Reichardt; Screenwriter: Jon Raymond) — In 1845, three families who have hired mountaineer Stephen Meek to guide their wagons over the Cascade Mountains get lost and face hunger, thirst and a lack of faith in their instincts for survival. Cast: Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Zoe Kaza, Bruce Greenwood, Shirley Henderson. So this is basically a period piece of Alive with two of the best actors around. Done.
Submarine (Director: Richard Ayoade; Screenwriter: Richard Ayoade from the novel by Joe Dunthorne) — Fifteen-year-old Oliver Tate has two big ambitions: to save his parents' marriage and to lose his virginity before his next birthday. Cast: Craig Roberts, Paddy Considine, Sally Hawkins, Yasmin Paige. This film had a big showing at this years Toronto Film Festival. I just want to see it already!
Uncle Kent (Director: Joe Swanberg; Screenwriters: Joe Swanberg and Kent Osborne) — A pothead cartoonist in Los Angeles spends a weekend trying to sleep with his visiting house guest – a woman from New York he met on Chatroulette. Cast: Kent Osborne. While the premise sounds awesome, basing around the already past its prime fad Chatroulette seems like a wrong move.
Hobo with A Shotgun (Director: Jason Eisener; Screenwriter: Johnathan Davies) — A hobo hops from a train with dreams of a fresh life in a new city, but instead finds himself trapped in an urban hell. When he witnesses a brutal robbery, he realizes the only way to deliver justice is with a shotgun in his hands and two shells in the chamber. Cast: Rutger Hauer, Molly Dunsworth, Gregory Smith, Brian Downey. Looks like we found the winner for Best Title.
Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same (Director and screenwriter: Madeleine Olnek) — A shy greeting card store employee unknowingly falls for a lesbian space alien while two government agents closely track their romance. Cast: Lisa Haas, Susan Ziegler, Jackie Monahan, Cynthia Kaplan, Dennis Davis, Alex Karpovsky, Rae C Wright. Just kidding about the best title thing from above. This is the clear winner.
Troll Hunter (Trolljegeren) (Director: Andre Ovredal) — A group of student filmmakers get more than they bargained for when tangling with a man tasked with protecting Norway from giant trolls. Cast: Otto Jespersen, Glenn Erland Tosterud, Hans Morten Hansen, Johanna Mørch, Tomas Alf Larsen. Norwegian giant trolls, what more could you ask for?
Corman’s World: Exploits Of A Hollywood Rebel (Director: Alex Stapleton) — Tracks the triumphant rise of Hollywood’s most prolific writer-director-producer, the true godfather of independent filmmaking. Cast: Jack Nicholson, Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, James Cameron, Roger Corman. Just look at who all is involved and tell why you wouldn’t watch this? Now shut up and learn something.
Jess + Moss (Director: Clay Jeter; Screenwriters: Clay Jeter and Debra Jeter) — Without immediate families that they can relate to, and lacking friends their own age, second cousins Jess and Moss only have each other. A series of visceral vignettes conjure memories of companionship and sexual awakening during a summer shared together on their Kentucky farm. Cast: Sarah Hagan, Austin Vickers. So it’s like George Michael and Maebe make a movie? Whatever, I’ll watch.
The Nine Muses (Director and screenwriter: John Akomfrah) — An allegorical fable divided into overlapping musical chapters, this film retells the history of mass migration to post-war Britain through the suggestive lens of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. And the Most Pretentious Sounding Film award goes to The Nine Muses. Thanks for playing.
Benavides Born (Director: Amy Wendel; Screenwriters: Daniel Meisel and Amy Wendel) — A high school senior in a forgotten town has earned admission to the University of Texas at Austin but can't afford to go. Her one shot is a scholarship for winning the State Powerlifting Championship. Cast: Corina Calderon, Jeremy Ray Valdez, Joseph Julian Soria, Julia Vera, Julio César Cedillo. Female Powerlifting hasn’t exactly gotten the best films attached to it. I hope this film changes that.
Homework (Director and screenwriter: Gavin Wiesen) — Quirky, rebellious George has no ambitions other than to cut his next class. But one day, one girl gives him the perfect reason to figure out who he really is. Cast: Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts, Michael Angarano, Elizabeth Reaser with Rita Wilson and Blair Underwood. This sounds stupid but Emma Roberts is kind of cute, so who knows.
The Ledge (Director and screenwriter: Matthew Chapman) — Perched on a ledge, a man says he must jump by noon, while a cop races against time to get to the bottom of it. Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Liv Tyler, Patrick Wilson and Terrence Howard with Christopher Gorham. Early reviews of this film say its really good. So I’ll go along for now.
Like Crazy (Director: Drake Doremus; Screenwriters: Drake Doremus and Ben York Jones) — A young American guy and a young British girl meet in college and fall in love. Their love is tested when she is required to leave the country and they must face the challenges of a long-distance relationship. Cast: Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones, Jennifer Lawrence, Charlie Bewley, Alex Kingston. UGH... wait, it’s Anton Yelchin and Jennifer Lawrence? Never mind, this is going to be awesome.
Take Shelter (Director and screenwriter: Jeff Nichols) — A working-class husband and father questions whether his terrifying dreams of an apocalyptic storm signal something real to come or the onset of an inherited mental illness he's feared his whole life. Cast: Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain, Shea Whigham, Katy Mixon, Kathy Baker. This looks super serious, and that’s great, but I really just want to see Katy Mixon.
Terri (Director: Azazel Jacobs; Screenwriters: Patrick Dewitt and Azazel Jacobs) — Orphaned to an uncle who is fading away, mercilessly teased by his peers and roundly ignored by his teachers, Terri is alienated and alone. When the dreaded vice-principal sees something of himself in Terri, they establish a friendship which opens Terri up to the possibility that life is not something to be endured, but something to be shared, and even enjoyed. Cast: Jacob Wysocki, John C. Reilly, Creed Bratton, Olivia Crocicchia, Bridger Zadina. Ok, I know this film sounds ridiculous, but it has Creed Bratton in it. That’s gotta count for something, right?
The Untitled Sam Levinson Project (Director and screenwriter: Sam Levinson) — A pair of reckless siblings are dragged into a chaotic family wedding by their overwrought mother. Cast: Demi Moore, Kate Bosworth, Jeffrey DeMunn, Ellen Barkin, Ellen Burstyn, Thomas Haden Church. Wedding movies involving dis-functional families are always the best.
BEING ELMO: A Puppeteer’s Journey (Director: Constance Marks) — The Muppet Elmo is one of the most beloved characters among children across the globe. Meet the unlikely man behind the puppet – the heart and soul of Elmo – Kevin Clash. A movie about the guy who has his hand up Elmo’s butt all day? Actually, that sounds kind of sweet.
Page One: A year inside the New York Times (Director: Andrew Rossi; Screenwriters: Kate Novack and Andrew Rossi) — Unprecedented access to theNew York Times newsroom yields a complex view of the transformation of a media landscape fraught with both peril and opportunity. Something tells me it will be more than bored journalists checking Twitter all day.
The Redemption of General Butt Naked (Directors: Eric Strauss and Daniele Anastasion) — A brutal warlord who murdered thousands during Liberia's horrific 14-year civil war renounces his violent past and reinvents himself as an Evangelist, facing those he once terrorized. And the award for logline least like the film the title suggests goes to this film.
Abraxas (Director: Dai Sako; Screenwriters: Dai Sako and Naoki Kato) — After botching a speech on career guidance at a local high school, a depressed Zen monk with a heavy metal past realizes that only music can revive his spirit.Cast: Suneohair, Rie Tomosaka, Manami Honjou, Ryouta Murai, Kaoru Kobayashi.
Zen monks and heavy metal? This nirvana goes to 11.
All Your Dead Ones (Todos Tus Muertos) (Director Carlos Moreno; Screenwriters: Alonso Torres and Carlos Moreno) — One morning, a peasant wakes to find a pile of bodies in the middle of his crops. When he goes to the authorities, he quickly realizes that the dead ones are a problem nobody wants to deal with. Cast: Alvaro Rodríguez, Jorge Herrera, Martha Marquez, Harold Devasten, John Alex Castillo. Sounds gross to find a bunch of dead bodies amongst your crops, but it does sound like a great film.
Happy, Happy (Sykt Lykkelig) (Director: Anne Sewitsky; Screenwriter: Ragnhild Tronvoll) — A perfect housewife, who just happens to be sex-starved, struggles to keep her emotions in check when an attractive family moves in next door. Cast: Agnes Kittelsen, Henrik Rafaelsen, Maibritt Saerens, Joachim Rafaelsen.
You had me at sex-starved Norwegian housewife.
Vampire (Director and screenwriter: Iwai Shunji) — On the surface, Simon seems like a fairly normal, average young man, devoted to his teaching job and ailing mother. Secretly, he is compelled to hunt through online chat rooms and message boards, searching for the perfect girl who will ensure his own survival. Cast: Kevin Zegers, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rachel Leigh Cook, Kristin Kreuk, Aoi Yu and Adelaide Clemens. A Japanese film about creepy guys hunting girls? Surely you jest.
KNUCKLE (Director: Ian Palmer) — An epic 12-year journey into the brutal and secretive world of Irish Traveler bare-knuckle fighting, this film follows a history of violent feuding between rival clans. I hope this film will make me want to break a bottle over my head and throw someone out a pub window.
Project Nim (Director: James Marsh) — From the Oscar-winning team behind Man on Wire comes the story of Nim, the chimpanzee who was taught to communicate with language as he was raised and nurtured like a human child. I’ve often dreamed of a world where men and monkeys live as one. Also I’ve always wanted to ask a Gorilla if he wanted to play video games with me.
Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure (Director:Matthew Bate) — When two friends tape-recorded the fights of their violently noisy neighbors, they accidentally created one of the world's first 'viral' pop-culture sensations. And with a great title and an intriguing logline, this film has me wanting more. Sounds delightful.